Inflation head accommodating both Schrader and Presta valves
AssigneeSchenk Designs, LLC
InventorAustin Schenk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An inflator head includes a body with an air inlet that receives pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas, a sheath extending through the body, and a shaft slidably received by the sheath. The shaft includes a primary conduit extending a length of the shaft and opening to a first shaft end, as well as a inflation conduit extending through a sidewall of the shaft from an exterior of the sidewall to the primary conduit. A cap having a valve coupling end is attachable to the first shaft end, an actuating pin having a first pin end and a second pin end is partially housed within the cap or is integral to the first shaft end. The inflator nozzle may engage and selectively open a Presta valve and a Schrader valve.
Claims24
An inflator comprising:
- a body with an air inlet that receives pressurized gas from a source of pressurized gas;
- a sheath extending through the body;
- a shaft slidably received by the sheath and having a first shaft end and a second shaft end, the shaft including:
- a primary conduit extending through a length of the shaft and opening to the first shaft end,
- an inflation conduit extending through a sidewall of the shaft from an exterior of the sidewall to the primary conduit, and
- a pressure port defined in the second shaft end;
- a cap attachable to the first shaft end and having a valve coupling end;
- and
- an outer spring biasing the cap away from the body,
- wherein the inflator engages and selectively opens a Presta valve and/or a Schrader valve.
An inflation system comprising:
- an inflator head comprising:
- a body defining a central lumen, an air inlet, and a bleed port valve,
- a shaft slidably received within the central lumen of the body, the shaft having a first end and a second end,
- a cap attachable to the first end of the shaft, and
- a pin received within the cap;
- a pressure gauge attachable to the second end of the shaft;
- and
- a handle attachable to the body,
- wherein the shaft is movable from a first position to a second position different than the first position, and
- wherein the inflator head is closed and does not allow air flow through the inflator head when the shaft is in the first position.
A method of inflation comprising:
- positioning an inflator head over an inflation valve, the inflator head initially in a closed flow configuration;
- engaging the inflation valve with the inflator head;
- measuring a pressure while the inflator head is in the closed flow configuration;
- compressing the inflator head to an open flow configuration;
- and
- flowing fluid through the inflator head while in the open flow configuration.
A method of delivering a pressurized fluid comprising:
- positioning an inflator head over a valve, the inflator head initially in a closed flow configuration preventing a flow of fluid through the inflator head;
- engaging the inflation valve with the inflator head;
- bleeding excess pressure through a bleed valve of the inflator head while the inflator head is in the closed flow configuration;
- depressing a shaft of the inflator head into a body of the inflator head, thereby placing the inflator head in an open flow configuration;
- and
- delivering a pressurized fluid through the inflator head in the open flow configuration.
An inflator head comprising:
- a body defining an air inlet;
- a shaft slidably received by the body, the shaft having a first shaft end that can communicate with a valve, a second shaft end opposite the first shaft end and in fluid communication with the first shaft end, and a pressure port at the second shaft end, the inflator head in a closed flow configuration when the shaft is in a first position relative to the body and in an open flow configuration when the shaft is in a second, depressed position relative to the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.